The Cathy Heller Podcast with Cathy Heller

How Rebecca Serle Became a Bestselling Novelist

Jan 27, 2025

Rebecca Serle, a New York Times bestselling novelist known for her captivating stories like Expiration Dates and In Five Years, shares her inspiring journey in writing. She discusses the importance of personal authenticity and how life experiences shape storytelling. Serle explores the balance between creativity and the pressures of publishing, emphasizing the relatability of flawed characters. She inspires listeners with her journey of turning rejection into triumph, revealing how it can lead to unexpected and remarkable paths.

58:26

forum

Ask episode

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 4min

chevron_right

The Journey of a Novelist

04:05 • 14min

chevron_right

Exploring the Nature of Creativity and Writing

18:04 • 4min

chevron_right

Navigating Joy and Pressure in Writing

22:15 • 4min

chevron_right

Flaws and Futures: Crafting Complex Characters

26:20 • 9min

chevron_right

A Journey of Love: The Story Behind 'Expiration Dates'

35:33 • 4min

chevron_right

Navigating the Publishing Journey

39:32 • 17min

chevron_right

The Joy of Creativity and Financial Abundance

56:28 • 3min

chevron_right

#14825

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

One Italian Summer

Pip Williams

#328

• Mentioned in 51 episodes

The Catcher in the Rye

J.D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye follows Holden Caulfield, a teenager who has been expelled from Pencey Prep, as he spends three days wandering around New York City. The novel explores Holden's disillusionment with the world around him, his feelings of loneliness and disconnection, and his struggle to find genuine relationships. Despite his cynicism and criticism of others as 'phonies,' Holden reveals a deep emotional sensitivity, particularly in his interactions with his younger sister Phoebe. The book delves into themes of adolescent angst, the loss of innocence, and the search for meaning and purpose in a seemingly superficial world.

#3870

• Mentioned in 8 episodes

Harry Potter Series

A Series of Seven Fantasy Novels

J.K. Rowling

The Harry Potter series chronicles the adventures of Harry Potter, a young wizard who discovers his magical heritage on his eleventh birthday. Along with his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry navigates the magical world, attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and confronts the dark wizard Lord Voldemort. The series spans seven years, each book set over the course of one school year, culminating in a final battle against Voldemort in the seventh book. The series explores themes of friendship, courage, and the struggle between good and evil, set against a richly detailed magical backdrop.

• Mentioned in 18 episodes

Wuthering Heights

Emily Brontë

Published in 1847, 'Wuthering Heights' is a novel that tells the story of the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and the foundling Heathcliff, whom her father brings home to Wuthering Heights. The narrative, framed by the visitor Lockwood and the housekeeper Nelly Dean, explores themes of love, revenge, and the cyclical nature of life. Heathcliff's bitter vengeance against those who wronged him drives the plot, which spans generations and delves into the dark, passionate, and often destructive aspects of human nature. The novel is renowned for its dramatic and poetic presentation, its unique structure, and its vivid depiction of the Yorkshire moors as a reflection of the characters' inner lives.

The dinner list

Rebecca Serle

In 'The Dinner List', Rebecca Serle crafts a story that delves into the life of Sabrina Nielson as she celebrates her 30th birthday with an unexpected dinner party. The guests include three significant people from her past—her father Robert, her best friend Jessica, and her long-term on-and-off boyfriend Tobias—as well as her college professor Conrad and the iconic Audrey Hepburn. The novel navigates Sabrina's relationships, both past and present, through a blend of magical realism and heartfelt dialogue. It explores themes of love, loss, and the conversations we wish we had, all within the confines of a single, transformative night.

#39064

Good in Bed

Jennifer Weiner

Good in Bed follows the life of Cannie Shapiro, a pop culture reporter for The Philadelphia Examiner, as she deals with her plus-size body, her complicated relationships, and her family dynamics. After her ex-boyfriend writes an article titled 'Loving a Larger Woman,' Cannie embarks on a journey of self-discovery, facing her past, and figuring out her future. The novel explores themes of body image, societal expectations, and personal growth, all set in a humorous and poignant narrative.

#17215

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

In Five Years

Rebecca Serle

In 'In Five Years,' Dannie Kohan, a Type-A Manhattan lawyer, has her life meticulously planned out. However, her life is disrupted when she falls asleep and wakes up five years in the future, finding herself in a different apartment with a different man. After returning to her present, she tries to ignore the vision but is haunted by it. The story unfolds as she meets the man from her vision, forcing her to confront the differences between her planned life and the future she saw. The novel explores various types of love, including platonic, all-encompassing, and faded love, and also delves into the portrayal of cancer and its emotional impact. The book is known for its emotional and heartfelt narrative, with a surprising and hopeful ending.

How do you write stories and characters that captivate an audience? Rebecca Serle, New York Times bestselling novelist has written multiple hit books like Expiration Dates, One Italian Summer, In Five Years, and The Dinner List. She shares the real life experiences that inspired her books, how to find gratitude for your practice, how to push through imperfection to complete the first draft, what it takes to become a bestselling novelist, and how rejection can lead you to a remarkable life that you could've never imagined.

- Get Cathy's Money Fix Workshop! Free for a limited time Cathyheller.com/fix

- Get your copy of Rebecca's novel Expiration Dates https://www.rebeccaserle.com/expiration-dates

- More of Rebecca and her books at https://www.rebeccaserle.com/

- Follow Rebecca on Instagram @rebecca_serle

- Thanks Miracle Made! Go to TryMiracle.com/DREAMJOB and use code DREAMJOB to claim your free 3-piece towel set and save over 40% off.

- Thanks Home Chef! Go to Homechef.com/DREAMJOB for 18 Free Meals and Free Dessert for Life!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books